Stress at work

Stress is a key cause of health problems in the workplace

Many of our members are feeling stressed overworked and underpaid, and too scared to take time out due to oppressive sickness absence policies. Stuck at work with bullying managers, stress at work has become endemic, putting workers’ psychological health at risk.  

Stress is one of the biggest causes of health problems in the workplace, and a major pre-cursor to worsening mental health. It is important our employers support us in getting well, but too often workers are forced back to work through punitive policies that punish workers for being sick. 

Bullying and harassment are also all too common for many members at work. Yet the law makes it clear that all employees have the right to work in a safe environment, free from bullying and harassment. Employees are protected by a combination of employers’ policies and legislation, and your employer is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe workplace, free from bullying, intimidation and harassment.

Working culture

A healthy, supportive working culture, working patterns that enable parents and carers to juggle their responsibilities at work and home, and a realistic workload will protect staff wellbeing and support a productive workforce.

After years of being asked to do more with less, the pressure continues to take its toll. Motions raised at our National Delegate Conference over the past few years have shown a rise in anxiety from our members on how our own mental health is affected by work.

In May 2022 we surveyed all UNISON’s young members on mental health and found that a shocking 81% had experienced a mental health problem in the previous year.

Prevention-first

At UNISON we know that prevention is better than cure. So a prevention‑first approach is essential if we want to meaningfully change this trajectory.

We support a collective approach to tackling work-related stress and ending psychosocial risks including psychological health, by identifying the potential causes with the employer, and then taking proactive and practical steps to reduce the risk of harm.

UNISON launched its Work-related stress charter, which sets out clear principles for tackling stress at its root – through prevention, accountability and organisational change. To qualify for entry to this charter, an employer must demonstrate that core health and safety standards are being applied and upheld. 

The Tackling workplace stress guide, developed by the TUC and the UK regulator Health and Safety Executive helps union health and safety representatives encourage employers to adopt the HSE Management Standards for work‑related stress. It outlines practical steps to identify stress risks and implement solutions.